Slab turning device for scarfing and inspection



June 15, 1965 w. R. EGGER 3,139,192

SLAB TURNING DEVICE FOR SCARFING AND INSPECTION Filed Jan. 15, 1963 s Sheets-Sheet 1' H I INVENTOR WALTER R. [665R By I Attorney W. R. EGGER June 15, 1965 SLAB TURNING DEVICE FOR SGARFING AND INSPECTION Filed Jan. 15,

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZJ WALTER .56 HIM 6% w w W? Attorney June 15, 1965 w. R. EGGER 3,189,192

SLAB TURNING DEVICE FOR SCARFING AND INSPECTION Filed aanfls, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR WALTER R. [665 A Ilarney for turning slabs and the like so as United States Patent 3,189,192 SLAB TURNING DEVICE FOR SCARFING AND INSPECTION Walter R. Egger, Austintown Township, Mahoning Qounty, Ohio, assignor to United States Steel Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Filed Jan. 15, 1963, Ser. No. 251,530 4 Claims. (Cl. 214- 1) This invention relates to apparatus for handling rectangular workpieces and, more particularly to apparatus to present successively each of the surfaces thereof for inspection, scarfing, chipping or the like.

Slabs, after being rolled, are inspected and marked for scarfing, chipping or other necessary conditioning. For this purpose, each slab must be turned successively to present each of its longitudinal faces or surfaces to the workman doing the job.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide apparatus for quickly turning slabs and the like to present successively the longitudinal faces and edges thereof for inspection and conditioning.

A more specific object is to provide apparatus in which a slab is picked up from a source of supply by a plurality of lift arms keyed to shafts journaled in a plurality of spaced, vertical plates having successive flat portions and notches in the upper edges thereof. Successive lift arms lay the slabs face down and on edge on the flat portions and notches respectively and then discharge them from the apparatus.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided a slab-handling mechanism of improved structure, a preferred form of which is shown in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of a slab-turning apparatus of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a section taken URE l; and

FIGURES 3-7 are schematic diagrams showing the sequence in operation of the parts.

As shown in FIGURES 1,. 2 and 3, a slab-turning apparatus includes'a plurality of spaced upstanding plates and end plates 11, the latter being dimensioned to serve as shields to protect the areas therebeyond from flashings, where the apparatus is used for scarfing slabs. Web plates 12 and base plates 13, secured to a floor 14, may be the mounting for plates 1%, 11. The upper edge of each plate 10 has spaced, fiat portions 15, 16, inclined to the horizontal and adapted to support a slab laid face on line 11-11 of FIG down thereon. Between portions 15, 16 is a notch or slot 17 inclined to the vertical and adapted to support a slab laid or dropped on end therein. The portions 15, 16 include arcuate edge portions 18 andrisers 19.

Extending normal to and journaled in plates 10, 11 are a number of parallel shafts 2t 21, 22, 23 and 24 that may be reciprocated by hydraulic, oscillating motors 2tl(a), 21(6), 22(a), 23(11) and 24(41) respectively. The motors are mounted on plate 11 and are conventionally operated by fluid under pressure, from sources and by means not shown.

Shaft 2t) journaled below portions has spaced lift arms 25 keyed thereto, usually adjacent a plate It). Each arm 25 has a terminal hook projection 26 substantially normal thereto, adapted to support a slab, on one edge. In its usual horizontal position each arm 25 projects beyond riser 19 and arcuate edge portion 13 of flat portion 15.

Shaft 21 journaled below portions 16, has spaced lift arms 27 keyed thereto, and terminal, perpendicular hook projections 28, similar to arms 25. In its normal, horizontal position each arm 27 projects beyond arcuate edge Patented June 15, I965 ice portion 318 and riser 19 of fiat portion 16 and is adapted to support a slab on one edge in notch 17.

Shaft 22, journaled below portions 15 and above shaft 2i! has spaced lift arms 29 keyed thereto, usually adjacent a plate 19, but spaced from arms 25. Each arm 29 has a short terminal hook projection 3t) substantially normal thereto, adapted to support an inclined, face-down slab thereon. In its normal position each arm 29 projects beyond and below fiat portion 15. Arm 29 may be used to support a slab laid face down thereon, permitting elimination of flat portion 15. However, it is usually preferred to absorb the shock of falling slabs on a flat portion 15 of each plate edge. Shaft 23 journaled below flat portions 16 and above shaft 21, has spaced lift arms 31 keyed thereto and short, terminal perpendicular hook projections 32, similar to lift arms 29. In its normal position each arm 31 projects beyond and below flat portion 16.

Shaft 24, journaled below shafts 24b and 22, has spaced lift arms $3 keyed thereto, usually adjacent a plate Ill. Each arm 33 has a slot 34 in its terminal upper portion, adapted to support a face-down slab. In its normal horizontal position, each'arm 33 projects laterally beyond plate It and is adapted to receive a slab from a supply table 35, which may be an endless chain conveyor 35, rotating about a sprocket 37, driven by a motor (not shown). An operators platform 38 bridging supply table 35 is supported on beams 39. Platform 38, adapted for a scarfing operation on the slabs positioned in the turning apparatus, supports a toe plate 4% and spaced vertical angles 41 carrying a safety rail 42. On the outlet side of the apparatus, the slabs maybe ejected over a skid bar 43 attached at its upper end to each plate 10 and at its lower end to a conveyor frame or the like (not shown).

In'describing the operation of the apparatus, reference is made to FIGURES 3-7 inclusive, which are schematic diagrams showing the sequence in successively turning the slabs 451 453 inclusive. After a longitudinal face thereof has been exposed for inspection or to necessary Work done thereon, in the normal position of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 4, each slab is ready for a quarter turn to expose an adjacent side. As hydraulic motor 23(a) turns shaft 23 clockwise, lift arms 31 are raised and in turn lift slab 44 from the respective fiat portions 16 of plates 10, turn the slab on arcuate edge portions 18 of plates 10 and discharge the slab to skid bars 43. During conditioning and transfer of a slab to and from fiat portion 16, a notch 16(a) cut therein may aid terminal hook portion 32 of arm 31 in securing a slab from slipping to the left.

After the discharge of slab 44, as shown in FIGURE 5, motor 23(a) turns shaft 23 counterclockwise and returns arms 31 to their normal position below fiat portions 16. Thereafter, motor 21(a) turns shaft 21 clockwise, lift arms 27 are raised and in turn lift slab 45 from notches 17, turn the slab about on risers 19 and arcuate edge portions 18 and deposit the slab face down on flat portions 16.

After this operation, as shown in FIGURE 6,,motor 2I(a) turns shaft 21 counterclockwise and returns arm 27 to a position below notch 17. Thereafter, motor 22(a) turns shaft 22 clockwise, arms 29 lift slab 46 from flat portions 15, turn the slab about 90 and slide or drop it on one edge into notches 17. 7

As shown in FIGURE 7, arms 27 are rotated clockwise to their normal position, the arms and their terminal hook projections 28 supporting the slab for operation thereon. Thereafter, arms 29 are rotated counterclockwise to their normal position below fiat portions 15. Then arms 25 are rotated clockwise and turn slab 47 about 90 on risers 19 and arcuate edge portions 18 3 and deposit it face down on flat portions 15, against notches (a).

After slab 47 is deposited on fiat portions 15, arms 25 are rotated counterclockwise about 180 to a position as shown in FIGURE 2, or just enough to avoid any interference by arms 25 or their terminal hook projections 26 with slab 48 in the to be described operation of arms 33. Then chain conveyor 36 is operated to transfer a slab 48 to notches 34 of arms 33. Upon consecutive clockwise rotation of arms 33 and 25 respectively, as shown in FIGURE 3, arms 33 first elevate the slab and dispose it adjacent to shaft and at an angle to the horizontal. Then arms and their terminal hook projections 26 lift the slab from arms 33 and place it in its normal operating position.

With the counterclockwise rotation of arms 33 to their normal horizontal position, the above-described operation may be repeated, after inspection of or work on the newly-exposed slab surfaces. This operation is repeated, successively rotating the slabs a quarter turn with each operating cycle of the lift arms until all longitudinal surfaces of the slabs have been exposed for inspection or to do work thereon.

While I have shown and described only a single embodiment of my invention, it is apparent that modifications therein may be made. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to the disclosure set forth but only to the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for turning slabs comprising a plurality of spaced upstanding plates, each plate having a portion of its upper edge adapted to support a slab laid face down thereon, a shaft extending normal to said plates below said portion, arms spaced along said shaft and extending laterally beyond said plates, each of said arms having a terminal hook projection substantially normal thereto whereby, on rotation of said shaft, said arms and hooks are adapted to pick up a slab having a width several times its thickness disposed adjacent said shaft and at an angle to the horizontal, then lift and turn it over so it falls face down on said portions of the upper edges of said plates, a slot in each plate adjacent to said portion, a second shaft above said first-mentioned shaft and parallel thereto, extending through said plates below said portions, arms spaced along said second shaft normally extending under said portions and adapted on rotation of said second shaft to pick up a slab resting on said portions, turn it through an angle of substantially 90 and drop it into said slots.

2. Apparatus for turning slabs comprising a plurality of spaced upstanding plates, each plate having a portion of its upper edge adapted to support a slab laid face down thereon, a shaft extending normal to said plates below said portion, arms spaced along said shaft and extending laterally beyond said plates, each of said arms having a terminal hook projection substantially normal thereto whereby, on rotation of said shaft, said arms and hooks are adapted to pick up a slab having a width several times its thickness disposed adjacent said shaft and at an angle to the horizontal, then lift and turn it over so it falls face down on said portions of the upper edges of said plates, a shaft below said first-mentioned shaft and parallel thereto extending through said plates, arms spaced along said lower shaft and extending laterally beyond said plates, each arm having a portion of its upper edge adapted to support a slab laid face down thereon, means for transferring a slab to said arm portions whereby on consecutive rotation of said lower and first shafts respectively, said slab is transferred from said lower shaft arms to said first shaft arms.

3. Apparatus as described in claim 1 characterized by a second portion in each plate adjacent to said slot adapted to support a slab laid face down thereon, a third shaft extending normal to said plates below said second portions, arms spaced along said third shaft normally extending below said slots, each of said arms having a terminal hook projecting substantially normal thereto whereby, on rotation of said third shaft, said arms are adapted to pick up a slab disposed in said slots and turn it through an angle of substantially 90 and drop it face down on said second portions.

4. Apparatus as described in claim 3 characterized by spaced means for slab disposal mounted on said plates, a fourth shaft above said third mentioned shaft and parallel thereto, extending through said plates below said second portions, arms spaced along said fourth shaft normally extending under said second portions and adapted on rotation of said fourth shaft to pick up a slab resting on said second portions, turn it through an angle of substantially 90 and drop it on said slab-disposal means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,206,766 7/40 Cushine. 2,744,639 5/56 Evans. 2,820,573 1/58 McConnel. 2,837,200 6/58 Evans. 2,940,612 6/ Shimeld.

HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner. 

2. APPARATUS FOR TURNING SLABS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF SPACED UPSTANDING PLATES, EACH PLATE HAVING A PORTION OF ITS UPPET EDGE ADAPTED TO SUPPORT A SLAB LAID FACE DOWN THEREON, A SHAFT EXTENDING NORMAL TO SAID PLATES BELOW SAID PORTION, ARMS SPACED ALONG SAID SHAFT AND EXTENDING LATERALLY BEYOND SAID PLATES, EACH OF SAID ARMS HAVING A TERMINAL HOOK PROJECTION SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL THERETO WHEREBY, ON ROTATION OF SAID SHAFT, SAID ARMS AND HOOKS ARE ADAPTED TO PICK UP A SLAB HAVING A WIDTH SEVERAL TIMES ITS THICKNESS DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID SHAFT AND AT AN ANGLE TO THE HORIZONTAL, THEN LIFT AND TURN IT OVER SO IT FALLS FACE DOWN ON SAID PORTIONS OF THE UPPET EDGES OF SAID PLATES, A SHAFT BELOW SAID FIRST-MENTIONED SHAFT AND PARALLEL THERETO EXTENDING THROUGH SAID PLATES, ARMS SPACED ALONG SAID LOWER SHAFT AND EXTENDNG LATERALLY BEYOND SAID PLATES, EACH ARM HAVING A PORTION OF ITS UPPER EDGE ADAPTED TO SUPPORT A SLAB LAID FACE DOWN THEREON, MEANS FOR TRANSFERRING A SLAB TO SAID ARM PORTIONS WHEREBY ON CONSECUTIVE ROTATION OF SAID LOWER AND FIRST SHAFTS RESPECTIVELY, SAID SLAB IS TRANSFERRED FROM SAID LOWER SHAFT ARMS TO SAID FIRST SHAFT ARMS. 